Tobi Talks March 2017- Tobi vous jase mars 2017

TOBI TALKS

Monthly musings from City Councillor Tobi Nussbaum

This year I will be hosting monthly drop-ins on the first Friday of every month at various locations throughout the ward. This will be an opportunity to share with me your concerns about, and ideas for, Rideau-Rockcliffe and Ottawa. It will also be a chance for me to connect with residents and share updates on City business and my ongoing work.

***Drop in on March 3, at The SconeWitch, 35 Beechwood Ave. from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Better Beechwood 2017 – Vote on the concepts!

After residents voted for street art as the general type of physical infrastructure they wanted to see on Beechwood in 2017, our working group composed of local artists, local volunteers and City staff met in January 2017 and contributed to the development of three concepts for the community to vote on. Review the concepts and cast your vote here.The poll will close on March 3. Following this, the concept with the most votes will be used to create a call for artists to bring the concept to the street in 2017, pending City approvals.

For more information on the Better Beechwood 2017 initiative, please click here.

COMMITTEE, COUNCIL & COMMUNITY ISSUE UPDATES

Planning and Transportation

Montreal Road Transportation Planning and Functional Design Study

Montreal Road, between North River Road and St. Laurent Boulevard, is being reviewed through a transportation planning and functional design study. Modifications to transit priority lanes are being considered along with the addition of cycling facilities. I thought this may be of interest to residents who have shared with me their commuter experience along this corridor. An open house where you will have the opportunity to review the proposal will be hosted on Thursday March 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wabano Centre, 299 Montreal Rd. To receive further details and share your thoughts on this project, please contact my office.

McArthur Avenue Cycling Lanes

The City has organized an open house on Wednesday, March 8 to present a draft “complete street” plan for McArthur Avenue, which would introduce dedicated cycling lanes on McArthur. The meeting will take place in the cafeteria of the Ottawa Technical Secondary School at 485 Donald St. – drop in any time between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Given that there are schools and other community centres along this corridor, the goal is to increase safety and discourage excessive speeding. The plan could be implemented through the use of pavement markings, signage and/or planter boxes. City staff is seeking the public’s input on the draft design. You will also be able to view the plans at ottawa.ca/mcarthuravenue and submit your comments online before March 22.

Parks and Recreation

Wateridge Village Parks

The City of Ottawa wants your input on the proposed design for two new parks that will be built in the Wateridge Village community in the coming year. The parks will provide a range of passive and active recreation amenities that will be geared for all age ranges as part of the redevelopment of the former Canadian Forces Base at Rockcliffe. The parks will also provide a plaza, green open space, landscaped areas and the preservation of existing trees. You will be able to view draft plans for the proposed parks and provide feedback at an upcoming public information session on Tuesday, March 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the East Gate Alliance Church at 550 Codd’s Rd. The plans will also be posted online at ottawa.ca.

Infrastructure

CSST – Combined Sewage Storage Tunnel

At a public open house on Feb. 22, residents had an opportunity to review important information about the CSST project, including a project schedule and information about anticipated noise impacts. You can review the information presented at the meeting here. Participants were also asked to provide feedback on possible truck routes (a technical memo on truck routes can be viewed here). The CSST project team will use the feedback from the public to re-analyze the truck route options and outline the preferred truck route in a memo.

With work in New Edinburgh set to begin this month, a project schedule provided by the CSST team outlines what residents can expect over the course of the construction.

I continue to tackle this project through three tracks in order to: keep residents informed and assist with their information requests of the project team; mitigate the impacts of this project on the community, and work with the community association, including by participating in regular meetings with the community and CSST project team.

Reflection

Both across the country and in our city, there is legitimate concern surrounding increasing opioid drug use and overdoses with often grave consequences. Ottawa has not been immune to this growing public health crisis, with opioid overdoses climbing steadily over the past few years, most recently resulting in the tragic deaths of two young Ottawans. Ottawa Public Health has issued a public awareness release, and has made information available on its website about this important issue. Residents can also visit StopOverdoseOttawa.ca, to learn more about recognizing overdoses, and how to access treatment resources.

CITY WIDGET

Stay in the loop on what events are happening during Ottawa 2017 with this new app for Apple and Android devices.

URBAN INSPIRATION

Gone are the days of a library being used only for book borrowing. As society shifts further into the technological age, so do our libraries. Libraries have become a space for patrons of all ages to experiment with new technologies and tools to create, invent and explore. Libraries are also increasingly landmark public buildings that are destinations for tourists and locals alike. Click here to see some of the world’s most innovative libraries. To read more about how libraries are becoming city placemakers, click here.

COMMUNITY UPDATES, EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Do you have an update, event or opportunity that you’d like to be shared via Tobi Talks? Tell us about it via this form.

Paint it up!

Funding is available for outdoor mural art projects that support graffiti prevention, youth empowerment, community safety and the beautification of Ottawa neighbourhoods. For more information, visit the website for Crime Prevention Ottawa. A public information session will be held on Tuesday, March 7 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at City Hall,110 Laurier Ave. W., in the Colonel By room on the second floor.

Young at Art 2017

Young at Art is an exceptional opportunity for Ottawa visual artists between the ages of 12 and 19 to gain recognition for their artistic efforts and abilities within their communities through the experience of a citywide, juried art exhibition. Find details, dates, and the application form here.

Tax Clinic

The Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre is offering assistance to complete your tax forms. Find more information here. Book an appointment by contacting the RRCRC.

Redbull Crashed Ice

A free, fun family event to celebrate Ottawa 2017! On March 3 and 4, watch athletes skate down an ice track filled with drops, hairpin turns, and gaps at speeds of more than 50 km/h. More details here.

Youth Ottawa and Bluesfest

Youth Ottawa and Bluesfest are providing two opportunities for local youth to showcase their artistic talents at the 2017 Bluesfest.

1) The Road to RBC Bluesfest 2017: Youth finalists will be provided with mentorship prior to performance, promotion through Bluesfest social media, festival tickets and a time slot to perform at Bluesfest 2017. Youth can apply directly online here by April 2 at midnight.

2) Youth Art at RBC Bluesfest 2017: art installations from youth will be displayed on Bluesfest 2017 grounds. Finalists will be provided with $500 to $1,000 to cover the costs to create an art installation, promotion through Bluesfest social media, festival tickets and mentorship from a local artist.Youth can apply directly online here by April 2 at midnight.

20th Annual Spirit of the Capital Youth Awards

Nominations are now open for the 20th Annual Spirit of the Capital Youth Awards. These awards honour young people who have made a difference in the lives of their peers, who have used their talents and creativity to tackle some of our community's most pressing challenges, and who have overcome adversity and shown remarkable courage.

On June 5 Youth Ottawa will honour two young people at Ottawa City Hall in each of the following categories: Academic Perseverance; Arts & Culture; Entrepreneurship & Innovation; Service & Caring; Strength through Diversity; Take A Stand and the Max Keeping Personal Courage Award. The winners will receive $700 each, to be used for the advancement of academics or social enterprise in line with the values of Youth Ottawa. Please click here if you wish to nominate an Ottawa youth.

For Your InformationPour votre information

CSST Construction Schedule

The CSST (Combined Sewage Storage Tunnel) project has been underway since March 2017, with work occurring in two locations in New Edinburgh: within Stanley Park (Sites 5A and 5B) and at the intersection of Queen Victoria and River Lane (Site 5C). An updated project schedule is posted every few weeks to help residents get a sense of what's in store.

Policy Options magazine published an article I wrote entitled “The Five I’s of Failed Urban Planning”. In it, I summarize the reasons for urban planning failure in five major themes: influence, inertia, illiteracy, inconsistency and interference. The article covers both the key reasons for urban planning failure and my suggested solutions for fixing them, building on my presentation at the 2016 Annual Conference of the Canadian Institution of Planners.